Washington: The United States has carried out its largest military deployment to the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion, fuelling speculation that President Donald Trump may authorise strikes on Iran if nuclear negotiations fail. While the White House has maintained that diplomacy remains the preferred option, officials have confirmed that military action is “on the table.”
Carriers, destroyers and stealth fighters positioned
The build-up includes 13 US warships, among them the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, multiple destroyers and littoral combat ships. A second carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, is en route with additional escorts, signalling preparations for a long-duration air campaign rather than a limited strike.
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Advanced aircraft — F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters, F-15 and F-16 jets, KC-135 refuelling tankers and airborne command-and-control planes — have been moved closer to Iranian airspace. Flight-tracking data also shows AWACS surveillance aircraft operating in the region, a key requirement for coordinated large-scale operations.
US military planners have reportedly presented multiple scenarios to the president, ranging from:
- Targeted strikes on nuclear and missile facilities
- Broader attacks on military infrastructure
- Operations against regional proxy networks
Long-range B-2 bombers could be deployed either from the US mainland or from Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, enabling deep-penetration strikes on hardened sites.
Iran fortifies nuclear and missile facilities
Satellite imagery indicates that Iran has stepped up defensive measures. Concrete shielding has been added at sensitive locations near Parchin, tunnel entrances at the Isfahan nuclear complex have been buried, and facilities near Natanz have been reinforced. Missile bases around Shiraz and Qom are also being rebuilt after earlier strikes.
Analysts say these steps could complicate any air operation by reducing vulnerability to bunker-buster munitions and limiting ground access.
Geneva talks show limited progress
Indirect US-Iran talks held in Geneva this week reportedly produced a “set of guiding principles,” but key disagreements remain unresolved. US officials have expressed scepticism about whether Tehran is willing to meet Washington’s red lines, keeping the military option active.
Iran, which relies heavily on its missile arsenal, could retaliate by:
- Targeting US bases and allies in the Gulf
- Activating regional proxy groups
- Attempting to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint
Such moves could trigger a wider regional conflict and send energy prices sharply higher.
Pressure tactic or prelude to war?
Strategic analysts believe the deployment serves a dual purpose — coercive diplomacy aimed at forcing concessions, and genuine operational readiness. Large-scale force positioning often creates momentum that becomes politically difficult to reverse, increasing the risk of escalation even without a formal decision.
For now, Washington continues to balance negotiations with military signalling. However, with forces in place and defensive preparations underway in Iran, the region faces its most volatile security environment in years, with the coming days seen as critical for determining whether diplomacy holds or conflict erupts.
